Siphoning Group for Food Waste Disposers

ABSTRACT

A siphoning group ( 10 ) for food waste disposers comprising a main duct ( 11 ) which can be connected upstream in a first end  11   a  with a food waste disposer and downstream in a second end  11   b  with a discharge tube, at least one derivation duct ( 12, 12 ′) connected to the main duct ( 11 ) between the upstream and downstream connections for the passage of water from at least another installation to said discharge tube, wherein the siphoning group ( 10 ) also comprises means for the selective isolation ( 13 ) of the at least one derivation duct ( 12, 12 ′) with respect to the main duct ( 11 ) during the use of the food waste disposer.

The present invention relates to a siphoning group for food waste disposers.

As is known, food waste disposers are items which are generally installed under kitchen sinks in order to dispose of food waste products in homes, through wastewater discharge pipes.

This particular type of food waste disposal has various advantages such as:

the extremely high selective capacity of the waste treated with this technique which guarantees the non-sending of substances incompatible with biological treatment to wastewater treatment plants and possible reuse linked to the purity of the waste thus disposed of, for example the production of energy through the codigestion of purification and waste sludge,

the absence of blades which can cause damage to the user having access to the grinding chamber when the machine is not operating,

the fragmentation of material into particles compatible with sewage networks.

These food waste disposers exert a progressive demolition action of the food waste product through a particular principle which does not envisage the use of moveable cutting blades, but through the violent projection of the waste products mixed with water coming from the sink against a special fixed toothed crown, called grinding ring, which is housed in a specific grinding chamber.

According to what is indicated above, the disposal of food waste products is consequently only effected through continual abrasion.

The projection of the waste product against the grinding ring is generated by the rotation of a particular disk, called rotating plate, fitted to a shaft of a motor with which the food waste disposer is equipped.

This motor in fact is generally an electric motor rotating at a high velocity, about 1500 rpm in the case of a quadripolar induction motor.

Inside the food waste disposer, there is also a rotating plate which exerts a good kinetic energy on the wastewater leaving the machine, this mainly occurs if it acts in the presence of a water buffer consisting of the liquid present in the overlying sink.

The effect exerted on the water by the rotating plate is similar to that of a low prevalence pump, and is aimed at exerting a thrust to the outgoing flow which allows the waste to pass through the pipe in the section between the disposer itself and discharge pipe.

In particular, the latter generally has a large diameter, practically reducing the risk of its becoming blocked, to zero.

Nowadays it frequently happens that the discharge pipe is not only destined as a food waste disposer, but also collects water coming from other pipes in turn connected to other installations different from the above disposer.

This combination of ducts is indicated hereunder with the name “siphoning group” and, as already mentioned, serves to connect all the various installations that can be present in a kitchen in the least cumbersome way, to a single wall discharge, which currently frequently has the presence, for example, of two or three sinks and/or a discharge for washing machines.

It is therefore evident that the water leaving the disposer can undergo decelerations along its course specifically in correspondence with the connections of other ducts.

As a result of this, unfortunately at times the waste products, especially in the presence of filamentous elements deriving from various kinds of vegetables, cause the blockage of the ducts which connect the disposer to the discharge pipe.

In order to avoid this disadvantage, there is the possibility of installing the food waste disposer in correspondence with the connection of the siphoning group which leads most directly towards the wall discharge, this duct is hereafter called “main” duct, with the purpose of allowing a fluid full of particles of food waste to flow along a more direct run and with the least possible loss of kinetic energy.

Also in this case, however, due to the geometry of the above “siphoning groups”, which in addition to being equipped with the above “main duct”, also comprise other ducts joining it and connected to other installations, hereafter called “derivation ducts”, it can happen that when the wastewater leaving the disposer encounters the above connections with the other installations, it loses kinetic energy and consequently the possibility of flowing along the whole piping as far as the discharge pipe.

Furthermore, unfortunately sometimes part of the wastewater leaving the disposer stops inside the above derivation ducts diverting its direct flow from the disposer to the discharge pipe or it even rises to the other installations creating unpleasant odours from the latter. This particularly happens when the main duct and discharge pipes have a partially obstructed section.

Unfortunately these drawbacks also have the further effect of consolidating a negative perception with respect to food waste disposers.

The risk of possible blockages of the siphoning group and in the discharge pipes, does in fact create diffidence in many users so much so that they consider them an obstacle not compensated by the advantages of convenience, hygiene and cleanliness associated with the use of these items.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a device capable of solving the above drawbacks of the known art in an extremely simple, economical and particularly functional way.

Another objective is to provide a siphoning group for food waste disposers which allows the waste flow leaving the disposer to keep the kinetic energy exerted by the relative rotating plate almost intact as far as the relative discharge pipe preventing the flow from encountering obstacles, such as derivations of the siphoning group itself.

These objectives according to the present invention are achieved by providing a siphoning group for food waste disposers as specified in claim 1.

Further characteristics of the invention are indicated in the subsequent claims.

The characteristics and advantages of a siphoning group for food waste disposers according to the present invention will appear more evident from the following illustrative and non-limiting description, referring to the enclosed schematic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional schematic view of a siphoning group for food waste disposers according to the present invention in a phase of use;

FIG. 2 is a sectional schematic view of the siphoning group for food waste disposers according to FIG. 1 in another phase of use;

FIG. 3 is a sectional schematic view of another siphoning group for food waste disposers according to the present invention in a phase of use; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional schematic view of the siphoning group for food waste disposers according to FIG. 3 in another phase of use.

With reference to the figures, these show an embodiment of a siphoning group 10 for food waste disposers according to the present invention.

Said siphoning group 10 for food waste disposers comprises a main duct 11, which can be connected upstream in a first end 11 a with a food waste disposer and down-stream in a second end 11 b with a discharge tube, and at least one derivation duct 12, 12′ connected to the main duct 11 between its upstream and downstream ends 11 a and 11 b.

The terms upstream and downstream refer to the direction of the flow of water which passes through the main duct 11, leaves the disposer and enters the discharge pipe as indicated by the arrow F in FIG. 1.

Said at least one derivation duct 12, 12′ in particular serves for the passage of water from at least one other installation, different from the disposer, to the above-mentioned discharge pipe connected below in 11 a to the main pipe 11.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the main duct 11 is substantially vertical to facilitate the passage of the water leaving the disposer as far as the discharge pipe, whereas two derivations 12, 12′ are indicated, which have a substantially horizontal development and therefore almost orthogonal with respect to the main duct 11.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the siphoning group 10 comprises means for the selective isolation 13 of the at least one derivation duct 12, 12′ with respect to the main duct 11 during the use of the food waste disposer connected above to the main duct 11 itself.

In particular these means temporarily close the mouth of the at least one derivation duct 12, 12′, in the main duct 11.

Under this condition, from a fluid-dynamic point of view, it is as if the main duct 11 were without the at least one derivation duct 12, 12′ and dedicated only to the passage of water from the disposer to the discharge pipe.

Thanks to these means 13, in fact, according to the present invention, during the use of the food waste disposer, the only direction allowed for the water to flow out of it is that parallel to the functioning of the main duct 11 closing the derivations 12, 12′ substantially orthogonal to said flow F. This functioning phase is schematically indicated in FIG. 1 where the only flow allowed for the water coming from the end 11 a is that which ends at the other end 11 b of the duct 11 without encountering any open derivation 12, 12′ in this passage.

In this way, a high accessibility is advantageously maintained during the use of the food waste disposer for the whole length of the duct 11, in particular also in correspondence with the derivations 12 and 12′.

This also allows the fluid full of food waste particles to flow along the most direct path and with a lesser loss of kinetic energy from the disposer to the discharge pipe without slowing down or even flowing up into the derivations 12, 12′ connected to the other installations.

In particular, according to the invention, the means for the selective isolation 13 of the at least one derivation duct 12, 12′ with respect to the main duct 11 during the use of the food waste disposer can be removed from the ducts 11, 12, 12′ so that they can be easily coupled and assembled inside the known siphoning groups as previously described and already installed, or they can be conveniently replaced for maintenance or substitution.

According to a first preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, these means for the selective isolation 13 of the at least one derivation duct 12, 12′ with respect to the main duct 11 during the use of the food waste disposer are a sleeve element 13.

In particular said sleeve element 13 at least partially consists of a material which is deformable under the thrust of a water flow and is inserted and fixed coaxially to the main duct 11 in correspondence with the at least one derivation duct 12, 12′ and has dimensions slightly lower than the main duct 11.

As can be seen in fact in FIGS. 1 and 2, said sleeve 13 has a development which is such as to have an upper end constrained in the main duct 11 above the at least one derivation duct 12, 12′ and a free lower end below the at least one derivation duct 12, 12′.

The central/lower portion of the sleeve 13, i.e. that in correspondence and below the at least one derivation duct 12, 12′ is preferably made of a deformable material so that, due to the thrust of a side water flow, it deforms to allow the flow itself coming from the at least one derivation duct 12, 12′ to reach the duct 11 and be directed to the discharge pipe connected to the lower end 11 b.

The possible pressure drop and loss of kinetic energy of the flows coming from the at least one derivation duct 12, 12′ when encountering the sleeve 13 does not cause drawbacks for the siphoning group 10 as there are no food residues in these flows but only water.

This functioning configuration, which cannot be obtained during the functioning of the food waste disposer, is schematically shown in FIG. 2, in which the water flows coming from the derivations 12, 12′ and directed towards the discharge pipe connected to the lower end 11 b of the main duct 11, are indicated with the arrows F′ and F″.

As already specified, the sleeve 13 is preferably removably fixed in the main duct 11 so that it can also be assembled in known siphoning groups which have already been installed. This removable coupling is guaranteed in the example shown in the figures by means of an upper annular protrusion 14 of the sleeve 13 which is buffered against a relative seat 15 situated inside the main duct 11 above the at least one derivation duct 12, 12′.

In this case, it is sufficient to insert the sleeve 13 in the duct 11 in its upper end 11 a and push it until its annular protrusion 14 buffers against the relative seat 15 of the main duct 11.

According to two different embodiments, the sleeve 13 can be at least partly made of rubber or silicon.

According to another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the means for the selective isolation 13 of the at least one derivation duct 12, 12′ with respect to the main duct 11 during the use of the food waste disposer, are at least a valve element situated in correspondence with the connection of the at least one derivation duct 12, 12′ with the main duct 11.

In this other example, in fact, there are two valve elements 13 a and 13 b situated in front of each other in correspondence with the connection of the at least one derivation duct 12, 12′ with the main duct 11 in which the valve element 13 a, 13 b comprises a sleeve portion 20 a, 20 b, assembled for a section on the relative derivation duct 12, 12′, and a membrane 21 a, 21 b constrained, for example above, to the relative sleeve 20 a, 20 b in a position facing the main duct 11.

In particular, the above membranes 21 a, 21 b can be moved from a first vertical rest position, FIG. 3, in which they close the relative derivation duct 12, 12′, to a second oblique position facing the interior of the main duct 11, FIG. 4, in which the passage of water is allowed from the derivation ducts 12, 12′ to the main duct 11.

These membranes 21 a, 21 b are preferably made of a deformable material so that due to the thrust of a side water flow F′ and F″ they deform to allow the flow itself coming from the at least one derivation duct 12, 12′ to reach the duct 11 and be directed to the discharge pipe connected to the lower end 11 b.

Also in this embodiment, the siphoning group 10 effects the selective isolation of the at least one derivation duct 12, 12′ with respect to the main duct 11 during the use of the food waste disposer connected above to the main duct 11 itself creating a fluid-dynamic condition comparable to that obtained with the main duct 11 without the at least one derivation duct 12, 12′ and solely dedicated to the passage of water from the disposer to the discharge pipe.

Thanks to these valves 13 a, 13 b, in fact, according to the invention, during the use of the food waste disposer the only direction allowed for the water leaving it is that parallel to the functioning of the main duct 11 closing the derivations 12 and 12′ substantially orthogonal to said flow F.

Finally, the internal surface of the sleeves 20 a, 20 b is slightly tilted forming a funnel-like passage for the flow coming from the at least one derivation duct 12, 12′ towards the duct 11 in order to accelerate the flow itself.

The positioning and maintenance of the valves 13 a, 13 b in the desired positions within the group 10 can be obtained, for example, by means of a rail/guide coupling, respectively situated on the sleeves 20 a, 20 b and on the derivations 12 and 12′ in order to guide the positioning of the valves 13 a, 13 b, and there can also be run-end buffer surfaces of the movement of the valves 13 a, 13 b in the derivations 12 and 12′.

The functioning of the device, object of the invention, can be easily understood.

The siphoning group 10 for food waste disposers according to the present invention comprises a main duct 11, which can be connected upstream in a first end 11 a with a food waste disposer and downstream in a second end 11 b with a discharge pipe, at least one derivation pipe 12, 12′ connected to the main duct 11 between its ends 11 a and 11 b, upstream and downstream, and means for the selective isolation 13 of the at least one derivation duct 12, 12′ with respect to the main duct 11 during the use of the food waste disposer connected above the main duct 11 itself.

Said means temporarily close the mouth of the at least one derivation duct 12, 12′ in the main duct 11, creating in this way, from a fluid-dynamic point of view, a configuration which is the same as that in which the main duct 11 does not have the at least one derivation duct 12, 12′ and is solely destined for the passage of water from the disposer to the discharge pipe.

Thanks to these means 13, in fact, according to the invention, during the use of the food waste disposer, the only direction allowed for the water leaving it is that parallel to the functioning of the main duct 11 as the derivations 12, 12′, substantially orthogonal to said flow F, are closed.

In this way, a high accessibility is advantageously maintained during the use of the food waste disposer for the whole length of the duct 11, in particular also in correspondence with the derivations 12 and 12′.

This also allows the fluid full of food waste particles to flow along the most direct path and with a lesser loss of kinetic energy from the disposer to the discharge pipe without slowing down or even flowing up into the derivations 12, 12′ connected to the other installations.

It can thus be seen that a siphoning group for food waste disposers according to the present invention achieves the objectives specified above.

The siphoning group for food waste disposers of the present invention thus conceived can undergo numerous modifications and variants, all included in the same inventive concept; furthermore all the details can be substituted with technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials, as also the dimensions, can vary according to technical requirements. 

1. A siphoning group (10) for food waste disposers comprising a main duct (11) which can be connected upstream in a first end (11 a) with a food waste disposer and down-stream in a second end (11 b) with a discharge tube, at least one derivation duct (12, 12′) connected to said main duct (11) between said upstream and downstream connections for the passage of water from at least another installation to said discharge tube, characterized in that the siphoning group (10) also comprises means for the selective isolation (13) of said at least one derivation duct (12, 12′) with respect to said main duct (11) during the use of said food waste disposer.
 2. The siphoning group (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said means of the selective isolation (13) of said at least one derivation duct (12, 12′) with respect to said main duct (11) can be removed during the use of said food waste disposer.
 3. The siphoning group (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said means of the selective isolation (13) of said at least one derivation duct (12, 12′) with respect to said main duct (11), during the use of said food waste disposer, are a sleeve element (13) at least partially consisting of a deformable material inserted and fixed coaxially with respect to said main duct (11) in correspondence with said at least one derivation duct (12, 12′).
 4. The siphoning group (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that said sleeve (13) is removably fixed in said main duct (11) by means of an upper annular protrusion (14) which buffers against a relative seat (15) situated inside said main duct (11) above said at least one derivation duct (12, 12′).
 5. The siphoning group (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that said sleeve (13) is at least partly made of rubber.
 6. The siphoning group (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that said sleeve (13) is at least partly made of silicon.
 7. The siphoning group (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said means of the selective isolation (13) of said at least one derivation duct (12, 12′) with respect to said main duct (11), during the use of said food waste disposer, are at least one valve element situated in correspondence with the connection of said at least one derivation duct (12, 12′) with said main duct (11).
 8. The siphoning group (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises two valve elements (13 a, 13 b) facing each other in correspondence with the connection of said at least one derivation duct (12, 12′) with said main duct (11), wherein each of said two valve elements (13 a, 13 b) comprises a sleeve portion (20 a, 20 b) assembled for at least a section in said at least one derivation duct (12, 12′) and a membrane (21 a, 21 b) constrained to the relative sleeve (20 a, 20 b), said membranes (21 a, 21 b) being movable starting from a first vertical rest position closing said at least one derivation duct (12, 12′), to a second oblique opening position facing the interior of said main duct (11) for the passage of water from said at least one derivation duct (12, 12′) to said main duct (11).
 9. The siphoning group (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that said sleeves 20 a, 20 b also internally comprise a slightly tilted funnel-type profile to accelerate the flow coming from said at least one derivation duct (12, 12′) towards said main duct (11). 